Autonomy in Exchange for Accountability

Today our deal with teachers is "we don't-give-you autonomy and in return you don't-give-us accountability".

People outside want to control the school, and to enforce accountability on the school. Boards of education say: "We're the ones who run the schools".

That does not and cannot work. Schools, teachers, will not and cannot accept accountability for what they do not control.

What if we were to turn the current deal around, say: "If you will accept responsibility for student success you can have real autonomy over what matters for student success?"

It is essential that we bring authority and accountability together in the school. There is no other way to combine the two. It is impossible to imagine enforcing accountability for student learning on those in district or state office.